News

Kent State College of Public Health Fights Food Insecurity Through Community Food Drive

Posted Mar. 18, 2013

A former Kent State student gathers food and supplies
during the College of Public Health's annual food drive.
Donations for this year's food drive will be collected
through a community bag drop.

The Kent State University College of Public Health announces its second annual food drive to benefit the Kent Social Service’s food pantry — The Lord’s Pantry.

“We are thrilled to once again be able to offer the community an opportunity to give back,” says Sonia Alemagno, Ph.D., dean of Kent State’s College of Public Health. “We welcome the opportunity to contribute in our own backyard.”

The food drive is organized by graduate students enrolled in the Public Health Programs: Planning, Implementation and Evaluation class (HPM 53007) taught by College of Public Health Assistant Professor Deric Kenne, Ph.D.

“Students participating in the course get a real-world, hands-on experience in planning, implementing and evaluating a public health program,” says Kenne. “At the same time, students are able to contribute to the community.”

Donations will be collected through a community bag drop. The project hopes to add to last year’s success that resulted in more than 4,000 food and personal care item donations —the the food pantry’s largest one-time donation.

On Tuesday, April 2, Kent State students and volunteers will distribute paper bags donated by the ACME grocery store in Franklin Township to the Kent community. Residents who receive a bag are asked to donate any non-perishable food and personal care items to support the food drive.

Students and volunteers will return to the same areas of Kent on Saturday, April 6, at 10 a.m. to collect the bags of donated goods and deliver them to the food pantry. Residents who receive a donation bag are asked to leave their bag of donated items in front of their home in a location visible from the street. All donations are welcome and greatly appreciated.

For residents who do not receive a bag, but would still like to contribute, donations may be taken directly to Kent Social Services at 1066 S. Water Street through April 6.

“Last spring the food drive was supported by the city, the media and other community members,” says Kenne. “We want to build on those relationships this year to further raise awareness of the project and the need it helps to fill in the community.”